Regence BlueCross BlueShield sponsors KOBI-TV Gotta Get Fit Video Challenge

MEDFORD, Ore. – KOBI TV NBC 5 and KOTI TV NBC 2 and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon are proud to announce the winners of the 2011 Gotta Get Fit Video Challenge. The goal of the campaign was to encourage teens to get active and inspire their peers and community to do the same through the creation of short videos about getting fit. Using their imagination and their cameras, they wowed a panel of judges comprised of civic, business and health care leaders.

The contest’s three finalists will share $10,000 in scholarship funds for their education and their high schools will receive money to purchase new exercise equipment that will benefit students for years to come.

“Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon celebrates these students’ dedication to promoting fitness and health among Oregon’s youth. We believe establishing an active lifestyle at a young age paves the road to a lifetime of fitness and overall good health. We are proud to partner in this effort to improve the lives and health of Oregonians for years to come,” said Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon president, Jared Short.

First Place: Austin Halvorsen, Henley High School
$2500 scholarship, $2500 for new fitness equipment at his school
Austin’s winning video was almost completely computer generated, showing silhouettes of students playing many sports, seamlessly transitioning between activities. Austin said, “I wanted to have everything silhouetted so these players could be anyone, they could be you, performing these activities.” His video took a little over a week to create, and he plans to use his scholarship for film school.

Second Place: Lacie Dahl, Grants Pass High School
$1500 scholarship, $1500 for new fitness equipment at her school
It took dozens of emails to Lacie’s friends and dozens more to their friends to get enough people to participate in a “flash mob” for her video. Over 50 people gathered in a local mall parking lot to dance. The more they danced, the more others joined in, including mall shoppers who didn’t know about the flash mob in advance. Lacie’s message: “You don’t have to get fit alone. Get fit with friends!”

Third Place: Scott Turner, Grants Pass High School
$1000 scholarship, $1000 for new fitness equipment at his school
Scott was influenced by an old Richard Simmons video he saw on YouTube. For his video, he persuaded a friend to wear pink shorts, dance and advocate a healthy lifestyle. Richard Simmons would be proud.

To watch clips of the winning videos, visit http://www.kobi5.com/.

About Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is a leading health plan in Oregon, with more than 750,000 members, offering health, life and dental insurance. Regence is the largest health insurer in the Northwest / Intermountain Region, serving nearly 2.5 million members as Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and Regence BlueShield (selected counties in Washington). Each plan is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Regence is committed to improving the health of our members and our communities, and to transforming our health care system. For more information, please visit www.regence.com or www.twitter.com/RegenceOregon.